Twin sisters Riya and Sara Kapoor made their Rangapravesh, or onstage debut, on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in a show they called “A Night of Moves.” In the ceremony, the girls performed the traditional Bharatantayam dance form and were accompanied by a Carnatic Orchestra and a New York Jazz Quartet. This performance marked the first time this ancient tradition was done in with this format and choreography.

In their Rangapravesh, 15-year-old artists Riya and Sara Kapoor shared with the audience the culmination of over 10 years of intensive dance training and mastery of the Bharatanatyam dance form. According to their Guru Swati Bhise, the 2,000-year-old dance form requires mastery of dance, music, theater, mime, iconography, geometry and mathematics. When combined, the audience was able to experience a beautiful display of a dance and acting performance, while invoking varied emotions over the course of the two-hour, ten part recital. At her students’ request, Swati Bhise melded jazz into the usually classical program, all while staying true to the Carnatic and Bharatanatyam traditions. This was important to Riya and Sara as they wanted to recognize their ancestral heritage and pay homage to their New York identity as both worlds are a reflection of who they are as people and performers.

The orchestra created compositions influenced by the work of legendary jazz great George Wein, who attended the performance as a guest of honor, as salute to his countless contributions to music and the performing arts. The performance was attended by over 1,100 friends and family with notable attendees covering cross-sections of finance, law, technology, civic life and the arts. In addition, Riya and Sara invited students and faculty from several schools throughout Manhattan to view their groundbreaking performance.

The ceremony, started with an introduction by Emcee Kavi Kapoor, Riya and Sara’s younger brother, who welcomed everyone to the performance and delighted the crowd with his personal anecdotes. Then, the girls took to the stage to receive their blessing from their Guru Bhise and the orchestra before launching into their first number, which seeks blessings from both the stage and the audience. When the music stopped, the girls were greeted to a roar from the crowd—and received their blessing.

What followed were performances that each showed the characteristics of the Bharatantayam, including its intricate movements with all parts of the body, including calculated foot patterns and facial expressions. Each movement within this dance form is utilized to convey a wide spectrum of emotions, best captured in the Navarasa section of the performance, which marked the mid-way point of the night. For that component, the girls depicted the nine core emotions of Classical Indian Dance – beauty and love (Sringara); valor or heroism (Viram); sorrow (Karunyam); laughter (Hasya); anger (Raudram); surprise (Adbhutam); fear (Bhayānakam); disgust (Bībhatsam) and peace (Santam) – all of which were conveyed through subtle facial expressions and body contortions.

In addition to testing the girls’ ability to act and convey emotion in the Navarasa, their Rangapravesh performance also tested their physical and mental stamina in the Varnam. According to their Guru Bhise, this segment is where both girls are expected to improvise as they execute the mnemonics recited by Bhise and produced by the drummer. The girls used their knowledge of the intricate footwork patterns, movement, music and acting to convey a classical love story of a young girl enchanted, but constantly rebuffed by the Lord Shiva.

Before introducing the final performance, Kavi Kapoor shared his love and admiration for what his sisters had just accomplished and said, “I want you to know one thing right now. No matter where you go in life, I will always be your baby brother. I love you guys.” The girls then took to the stage in the climax of the performance, titled the Tillana, where the piece was built up to a crescendo using both jazz and the Carnatic orchestra as Riya and Sara Kapoor went through a rapid series of leg extensions, pirouettes and leaps bringing the audience to their feet.

After the girls returned to the stage for a final prayer and thanked their guru and musicians, their father Vikas Kapoor greeted the audience and thanked everyone for attending. For the family, it was important to meld the traditional aspects of the dance form with the modernity of the jazz form to blend the cultures together as it is the reflection of their collective identities. Additionally for Vikas and his wife Jaishri, it was important to find a way to pass the cultural baton onto his children, but to do so while still maintaining their American identities.

Guru Bhise, a protégé of Sonal Mansingh, India’s pre-eminent practitioner of the Pandanallur style which emphasizes geometric movements of the Bharatantayam form, then took to the stage to congratulate the girls on their accomplishment. For her, the girls became more than just students­—they became an extension of her. “We became more than just student and teacher, we became the ones who make fun of the parents,” she quipped. Bhise said she found teaching them to be fulfilling, adding “I’d like to say Sara and Riya, you have done me proud.” Prior to “A Night of Moves,” Bhise announced that Riya and Sara Kapoor’s Rangapravesh would be her final student presentation.

World renowned jazz producer, George Wein congratulated the girls on their debut and said, “All I could think of is the majesty and ethereal beauty of all women.”

For an encore, Rita and Sara performed a special routine set to a modern musical composition by the Oscar-winner AR Rahman. As the routine progressed, members of the jazz quartet then led guests out of the theater in a procession towards dinner in the Jazz at Lincoln Center space, which had a traditional Indian street market theme and was immediately followed by an after party in The Parkview Lounge.

As depicted in many a Christmas movie, New York is truly a wonderful place to visit this time of year with tourists from the all over the world gathering in this metropolis to absorb the Christmas spirit. Between the holiday windows at Saks Fifth Avenue or Bergdorf Goodman, the majesty of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree or the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, there truly are few places that get people in the Christmas spirit quite like New York. For those who want to get in the spirit of giving over a bountiful meal, Lawlor Media Group gives its top five suggestions for where to dine this Christmas in New York.

1. Upscale Take on Christmas Classic- Philippe New York

Owner and Executive Chef Philippe Chow, formerly of acclaimed Manhattan restaurant Mr. Chow, puts his own contemporary and upscale spin on traditional Beijing-style cuisine at Philippe. All Philippe signature dishes, like the famed Chicken Satay, perfectly glazed and crispy Peking Duck, Green Prawns, and Filet Mignon and Broccoli, are served in generous portions and family-style, giving all guests the opportunity to be part of a lively and social dining experience perfect for the holiday season.

Murray Hill’s temple to wine and cheese will open its doors for Christmas and a special New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Both occasions will two special multi-course tasting menus prepared by newly appointed Executive Chef John Creger, filled with traditional favorites and will be available for $95pp on Christmas.

Make this Christmas special at classically-chic Upper East Side eatery, T-Bar Steak and Lounge. The sophisticated dining room, with a soft candlelit glow, is a cozy haven that will ensure your holiday night is nothing short of exceptional. Enjoy an à la carte meal that harkens back to the good old days of white table cloths and refined service.

For diners looking to find alternatives to traditional holiday staples such as turkey and stuffing, the Upper East Side’s China Fun will be open regular hours Christmas and New Year’s serving customers from its wide ranging menu of delicacies from the various regions of China.

The eclectic menu, created by the Wu family and executed by Executive Chef Wing Fong Chen, who has been with the restaurant since its opening, is highlighted by dim sum, soup dumplings, Cantonese BBQ, noodles, wok dishes among other options. Under the direction of the Wu family, guests can trust in the restaurant’s ability to ensure each visit is great each and every time they dine at China Fun.

For the first time since Osteria Salina opened in its original Bridgehampton location in 2015, the Italian eatery is open year-round at its new Wainscott, NY location. Osteria Salina boasts a wood burning pizza oven in addition to a classic baby grand piano bar lounge, and is continuing its tradition of serving fresh, clean local fare coupled with genuine Sicilian hospitality.

On Christmas Day, Osteria Salina will be open from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM serving its regular menu and specials.

Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), a nonprofit organization which remains steadfast in its commitment to identify and fund groundbreaking cancer research programs to save the lives of millions, hosted its annual New York Dinner at the The Pierre Hotel on Wednesday, December 2, 2015. The event raised more than $6 million to support groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research.

The dinner honored the 20th Season the Prostate Cancer Foundation has partnered with Major League Baseball and its team owners for the PCF Homerun Challenge, with Baseball Hall of Fame Managers Joe Torre, Tommy Lasorda and Tony La Russa. PCF also presented David Cohen of Comcast an award recognizing his philanthropic endeavors on behalf of PCF’s Philadelphia partners, funding groundbreaking research.

Following a cocktail reception, dinner hosts Whoopi Goldberg and John O’Hurley welcomed attendees to the event before introducing PCF Chairman and Founder Michael Milken. Goldberg, who has hosted numerous PCF events over the years, quipped “I remind him that I do not have a prostate.” Milken opened the evening by discussing the Charles Evans PCF Pro-Am Tour, a fundraiser hosted in conjunction with the Charles Evans Foundation where high-profile amateurs are paired with tennis professionals in four different tennis tournaments during peak seasons of each of the venues – Palm Beach, Fl., Indian Wells, CA, Westchester County, NY and the Hamptons. Joel Paschow and Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Trustees of the Charles Evans Foundation, then spoke of Charles Evans’s memory, and shared that they were honored to be a part of what PCF and Mike Milken do.

After the brief presentation of tennis, Milken introduced the baseball theme of the event by quizzing the audience’s knowledge of Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s On First” comedy sketch. Following the quiz, Milken invited MLB attendees including Mark Attanasio, Todd Boehly, Jerry Cohen, Tommy Lasorda, Scott Minerd, Tony La Russa, Joe Torre, Mark Walter and Fred Wilpon to the stage for a special rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” while wearing special Prostate Cancer Foundation baseball jerseys. “If you buy a baseball team next year, you could be up here,” said Milken at the performance’s conclusion. Immediately following the baseball players, opera group Forte from America’s Got Talent performed their version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” before singing the classic “Il Sole Mio.”

Once Forte finished their performance, Milken began detailing the work of the PCF Home Run Challenge, which invites MLB fans to pledge a donation for every home run hit from June 1st through Father’s Day, before inviting Tommy Lasorda, Joe Torre and Tony La Russa to join him. All three have participated with the program, with Tommy Lasorda having traveled with Milken for over a decade. Since inception, Milken has attended 401 games and raised over $45 million.

Event host John O’Hurley then introduced Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO and President Dr. Jonathan Simons. PCF has been instrumental in funding extraordinary young scientists with multiple year grants. Their work has saved lives and provided better treatments for prostate cancer patients worldwide. Following the presentation, members of PCF brought up a mock baseball scoreboard with the number 173—the number of young investigators PCF has funded. Milken announced he wanted to increase that number to 200, and opened the floor for donors to pledge $75,000 for three years to support more young investigators. By the time everything was said and done, PCF put 202 new young investigators on the board. Following the pledges, the PCF opened the floor for three live auction packages that raised over $500,000.

Following the auction, Former Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell introduced the night’s honoree David Cohen, Executive Vice President of Comcast and Head of the Board of Trustees at University of Pennsylvania. Cohen served as Rendell’s Chief of Staff during his administration, where they collaborated to rebuild Philadelphia’s urban development. Rendell commended Cohen’s support of research to find ways to treat Prostate Cancer. Cohen, a prostate cancer survivor himself, thanked Milken and PCF for their efforts to stop prostate cancer and said he is, “one of tens of thousands of men who’ve benefitted from the funds raised the Prostate Cancer Foundation.”

After the award presentation, Nathan Gunn and Isabel Leonard performed, and were later joined by Forte for a special performance of “Somewhere” from West Side Story, the song the group performed during their Radio City audition on America’s Got Talent. To conclude, John Fogerty performed a special set alongside his son Shane where they performed some of his classic hits, including “Centerfield” which was honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Fawaz Gruosi, Founder and Creative Director of de GRISOGONO, well known for its international, jet-set clientele, hosted a holiday cocktail party on Wednesday, December 9th, 2015 at the jeweler’s Madison Avenue boutique.

de GRISOGONO, founded in 1995 by internationally renowned designer Fawaz Gruosi, has earned a reputation of being one of the leading jewelers and watchmakers in the world with a clientele including Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman, Lenny Kravitz, Sharon Stone, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campbell. Additionally de GRISOGONO is also carried in leading luxury retailers including Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. The brand prides itself of creating innovative, one-of-a-kind pieces with dynamic gemstones including amethysts and black diamonds.

The Brussels- based Accessible Art Fair is set to launch in New York November 1 to November 26, 2016 by Maria van Vlodrop, President of MVVO ART. The Accessible Art Fair concept is simple: make artists accessible to the public and make the public accessible to the artists. It offers artists a beautiful space to exhibit and sell their work to an art buying public. In Brussels, the Accessible Art Fair has become a focal point of discovery of new talent and a chance for artists to launch their career.

Founded by Brussels-based Stephanie Manasseh in 2007, the fair has managed to break with traditional art boundaries to create fresh opportunities for new, emerging talent. The Accessible Art Fair was born from Stephanie’s passion for art but also after realizing that there is so much artistic talent without gallery representation. ‘I decided to give these artists the opportunity to sell their work directly to the public, without having to wait around to be discovered.’

She continued, “OurNew York launch feels like a natural evolution. There is a wealth of talent here that simply needs an opportunity to exhibit work.”

Stephanie has curated for luxury brands such as Montblanc for which she launched the Montblanc Likes Art Award at the Accessible Art Fair in 2012 and BMW Belgium, where she has helped launch the Art and Design Sessions – showcasing young talent and world-famous names such as Marc Lagrange, Xavier Lust and legendary Terry O’Neill. Jeff Koons joins the design sessions in July 2016.

Commented Maria van Vlodrop, “I am proud to partner with Stephanie and bring this new art fair to New York City and support emerging artists at such an intimate venue such as the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park.”

The Hotel Croydon, owned by Alan and Nathan Lieberman of the South Beach Hotel Group, is the optimal choice for those attending this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach celebration as one it is close to all the action, but far enough to catch one’s breath and settle back after a day exploring the various exhibitions, parties and the nightlife scene throughout the world-famous extravaganza. This whimsical hotel is located in Miami’s Mid-Beach off of the world-famous Collins Ave.

The Smile Design Gallery merges art with the mission of providing dental treatment for people who need care with100 percent of the value of art sold through Smile Design Gallery matched in free dental care for the uninsured. The gallery believes social enterprise can move the great masses of humanity forward, and with a passion for art, its founders have tapped the “art market” to do just that.

Why wait hours in the bitter cold without access to even basic comforts, to get a so-so view of the world-renowned Times Square ball drop on New Year’s Eve? Knock Times Square New Year’s Eve off your bucket list in style at Novotel New York’s Supernova Ball Drop spectacular!

The Fourth Annual Supernova Ball Drop takes place from 9:00pm – 3:00am on December 31st, 2015 at Novotel’s Supernova, a newly redesigned, sophisticated event space with a heated outdoor terrace providing for spectacular views. Every area of the space inside the venue and on its 5,700 square foot terrace has unblocked views of the ball drop, which makes it a cannot-miss event for New Yorkers and international revelers, who travel from more than 15 countries to experience the magic and energy of Times Square.

The elegant venue offers unmatched ambience and energy. This year’s entertainment program at Supernova features aerial acrobatic performers to entertain guests with a Cirque Du Soleil-inspired show, and famous DJ Pollux Star (a.k.a. “the People’s DJ”) spins the best tunes as guests hit the dance floor, conveniently located in the center of the space.

Revelers enjoy VIP table service, a six hour premium open bar and a midnight Champagne toast along with gourmet passed hors d’oeuvres and succulent sweets.

Supernova Ball Drop is also offering to two lucky guests the chance to win an exceptional New Year’s Eve VIP packageworth $10,000 at Supernova. The winners will experience the ball drop from a private heated outdoor booth on the terrace, bottle of Dom Perignon for the midnight toast, and of course, access to the party, open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres. Enter to win the contest at www.TimesSquareBucketList.com.

Guests 18 years and over are welcome to attend this elegant event, and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. “New Year’s Eve Best” attire is required. Event tickets start at $348 (taxes and operating expenses excluded) and Exclusive VIP package includes four-night stay in modern spacious room with access to Supernova Ball Drop event starting at $3,599 (taxes and operating expenses excluded). Additionally, Supernova has an excellent private spaces for bookings with 10 guests or more.

Denise Rich and Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research celebrated the generous support of the foundation through its Angel Ball 2015 Gala at Tao Downtown on Monday, November 30, 2015.

The party toasted the success of Angel Ball, which raised over $3.6 million this year for cancer research on Monday, October 19, 2015, with cocktails by Manhattan Moonshine, the world’s first premium un-aged whiskey, 50 Bleu Vodka and Forever Young Wine. Notable attendees included: Denise Rich, Michele Rella, Alicia Quarles, Rita Cosby, Cynthia Ott & James Coleman, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Lucia Hwong Gordon and William Kehler.

Each year, the Angel Ball is one of the top New York social events boasting attendees in the fields of business, philanthropy, and society alike at this annual celebration of life, music and the quest for a cure. The mission of Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research is to encourage the development of more effective therapies for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and related cancers. The Foundation funds innovative clinical or basic science research that will lead to novel therapeutic approaches that could replace, or be used in combination with existing effective therapies. Such therapeutic approaches could include alternative or complementary medicine.

About Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation:

In 1996, Grammy-nominated songwriter and philanthropist, Denise Rich, lived every parent’s worst fear as one of her three daughters, a beautiful 27-year-old actress and Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor named Gabrielle, succumbed to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Gabrielle lost her battle, but her dream lives on in the work of the organization created in her memory, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. It was Gabrielle’s idea to create a Foundation that would fund the best and brightest scientific investigators in the nation with the hope that less toxic treatments, and ultimately a cure, might be discovered. Her mother and sisters, Daniella and Ilona, believed the best way to honor Gabrielle’s memory was to turn their extraordinary grief into a positive force for others. The Foundation funds research to improve the efficacy of cancer treatments, reduce their toxicity and improve the quality of life of patients with leukemia or lymphoma. The Foundation also supports limited scientific interchange between select leaders in different areas of bio and integrative medical research, to develop unique and important collaborative efforts that will lead to improvements in the treatment and care of patients with leukemia and lymphoma.

Manhattan Moonshine is the world’s first luxury Un-Aged Whiskey and has been designed to be the perfect Whiskey for cocktails. The Manhattan Moonshine Company, LLC was founded in 2013 by William Kehler to establish Un-Aged Whiskey as a legitimate expression of Whiskey that is competitive with Aged-Whiskey in flavor, quality and class. Using a unique grain bill featuring a combination of Oats, Rye, Spelt (an ancestral form of wheat) and Malted Barley with its unique production process, a collaboration between Kehler and whiskey expert Ian Smiley to create the formulation. Manhattan Moonshine delivers a smooth, grain-forward, Whiskey flavor that no other Un-Aged Whiskey is able to create. A New York City native, Kehler is a New York City native and Whiskey enthusiast who is fascinated by the Prohibition era, Art Deco design and the Jazz age.

When it comes to buying gifts for your loved ones during this holiday season, it is important to find the perfect gift that not only is unique, but also resonates with the recipient. From the foodie, to the health conscious, the beauty addict and beyond – here is a list of the top holiday gifts this 2015 for the special people in your life.

For The Foodie: Hamptons Salt Company

Hamptons Salt Company is the preeminent source of all-natural sea salt. With Hamptons Salt, merchants scour the world to offer gourmands the best selection of raw, flavor infused or smoked salts. Available in a multiple varieties including the decadent black truffle flavor infused salt to the luxurious Fleur de Sel sourced from France, each salt is packaged in unique black gift box perfect for delivery.

This highly acclaimed un-aged Whiskey recently received an impressive 89 rating from Whisky Advocate Magazine, making it the highest rated un-aged Whiskey in the world. Inspired by the cocktail renaissance that occurred during American Prohibition and the glamorous yet subversive nightlife that accompanied it, Manhattan Moonshine is the world’s first luxury Un-aged Whiskey and has been developed to be the perfect Whiskey for cocktails. With its smooth, grain-forward flavor and lack of heavy barrel flavors that make aged Whiskeys harder to mix, Manhattan Moonshine makes an almost endless variety of cocktails, using flavors and ingredients that no Aged Whiskey can mix with.

The culmination of years of research by Author Sophia Ruan Gushée, A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposure is a practical handbook for navigating the many toxins in the environment, and offers ways to minimize the risk of experiencing their potentially negative side effects. Gushée wrote this comprehensive reference manual for individuals and families interested in learning more about the toxins that have been introduced into commercial use over the last several decades, and outlines her method for reducing exposures. The book is on sale now for $29.95 and available at Amazon.com.

For The Well-Mannered: Manners That Matter Most

Etiquette is one of the most valuable assets a person can have: knowing how best to present yourself, and how to deal with others in a direct, effective manner, is paramount in all personal, professional, and social relationships. InManners That Matter Most – the Easy Guide to Etiquette at Home and in the World – published by Hatherleigh Press, researched and written by June Eding, with a special foreword by Norah Lawlor – covers topics from introductions, greetings and thank-you’s, to the etiquette of modern technology. This book is a valuable resource and much-needed guide for the fast-paced digital world. The book, in its second printing, is available from Amazon.com and in Barnes & Noble Bookstores.

For The Beauty Addict: Angelo David Haircare Collection

The Angelo David Salon offers a full menu of personalized Hair Carefor hair and skin, including itsexclusive haircare collection, specifically formulated to keep hair healthy, shiny and manageable. The product line includes favorites such as Hair Detox, VOL Shampoo, Angelo David Medium Paddle Brush, VOL Vital Complex Leave-In Conditioner, Angelo David Round Brushand Conditioner and Long & Strong Detangler, all of which keep both natural and Couture Hair tangle-free. In addition to its haircare line, the Angelo David Salon also provides Couture Hair extensions that address any hair challenge. The customization of Couture Hair™ Extensions, Wigs, Hair Pieces, Ponytails & Additions are 100-percent human hair and are designed on-site to match each client’s hair texture, type and color, as well as lifestyle.

Celebrity jewelry designer Margo Manhattan, whose clientele includes Beyonce, Selena Gomez and Amber Heard, is world-renowned for her bold, rock-n-roll chic aesthetic. Do not miss The Vault, a stunning collection of unique one-of-a-kind pieces, featuring diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, all set in white and yellow gold. Her famous designs are available at her Madison Avenue boutique, at her newly re-launched Ecommerce site www.margomanhattan.com and at EVINE.com.

For The Once-In-A-Lifetime New Year’s Eve Experience: Novotel New York’s Supernova Ball Drop

Prepare to remove Times Square New Year’s Eve from your bucket list: Experience New Year’s Eve at Hotel Novotel’s Supernova, the only VIP venue in NYC that provides unobstructed views of the spectacular Ball Drop. This year’s entertainment program at Supernova features aerial acrobatic performers to entertain guests with a Cirque Du Soleil-inspired show, VIP table service, a six hour premium open bar and a midnight Champagne toast along with gourmet passed hors d’oeuvres and succulent sweets.